Chuck Bower: 24/18, 13/11.Slotting and blotting the 6th point of a prime is often right,but the 5th point is a different story. Even when it worksopp has an alternate escape route. This looks like a goodroll to work on getting an advanced anchor. The big questionfor me is "which point do I start?" Three checkers spread out on the low points leave quite a few high anchor building rolls. The 18-point by itself is more valuable but more dangerous to blot. As usual, the hits on the 18-point are qualitatively offset by return shots. Looking through White's36 rolls, Blue's 24/18 looks a bit better. Blue does havethe superior board so playing boldly is reasonable.
Doug Doub: 24/16.
There are several good plays here, including 24-18,13-11covering the whole board, and 13-5, going after the best point on our sideof the board while maintaining our anchor. 24-16 does the most towardgetting another man on our side of the board, while forcing White to break apoint if he is going to hit. The back men are not in much danger, so Idon't mind having them split right now.
Neil Kazaross: 13/5.
It looks natural to try to split here, but I fear that White israther well situated to attack any split. I lean towards slotting my 5 point since I note that 3's and 6's are somewhat duped and some non escaping rolls don't play well if they cannot be used to attack. 13/5 with a slight preference for me.
George Klitsas: 24/22, 13/7.
13/5 is the move that might pass unnoticed by any player. This move surely has merit, duping some 3's, but is it the best one? I guess not. I prefer to bring a useful spare to the bar point (13/7) and split one of the back checkers (24/22), a relatively safer split, compared to the split on White's bar point.
Snowie: 13/5.
I have been teaching slot-crazy humans the dangers of slotting for years.There are times when it is right to slot, however, and this is oneof them. I need my five point badly, and if I don't slot it now itwill be difficult to make it later. I'm behind in the race, have moremen back, and have the stronger inner board, so I don't mind the action.In addition White makes his own five point with 6-3 or 3-1, so there isa fair amount of duplication.
Marty Storer: 24/16.
13/5 is also good, but 24/16 puts pressure on bothoutfields and does more to mobilize the back checkers. AgainstWhite's weaker and relatively undeveloped board, Blue need nothave much fear of leaving three blots. The key for me is thatsomething may have to give for White on his side of the boardthis very roll, so pressure on White's outfield is useful.13/5 is thematic and tempting, but it seems a bit too slow.It doesn't seem to do enough to divert White from making hisbar or 5 point. 24/16 is much better in that respect.
Bob Stringer: 24/18, 13/11.
My first thought was to split with 24/22 while I had the betterboard, but I dumped that idea fairly quickly, since White'sstacked 6 and 8 points put him in a good position to attack threestrung-out blots in his inner board. I'm concerned about 24/18 forsimilar reasons, but I've got to do *something* with those backcheckers. I don't like 24/16 as much, since it lets White hitwithout his leaving too many shots. I'm not sure what to make of13/5. It certainly starts my best point when I have to leave ashot somewhere in any case, but once I put the checker there Ibadly need a 1 to cover it. Also, I'm more concerned about fixingthings on White's side of the board. 24/18, 13/11 seems to do thebest job of forcing White to roll well.
Kit Woolsey: 13/5.
This is a perfect time for slotting. I need the five point badly. I havemore men back, I am behind in the race, I have the stronger inner board,and containing White's last back checker is very important. Other playsdon't get to the heart of the position.
Chris Yep: 24/18, 13/11.
Blue has more men back and a stronger board, arguing for an active play. 24/18 fights for the outfield and is especially effective since it confronts White's stripped outfield points. Given that I like 24/18, the best 2 appears to be 13/11, giving Blue double coverage of his outfield as well as providing another builder for the 5 point.
Summary: Offense or defense? All the action plays look prettygood, but which is more productive? I still slotting the five pointa lot here. It feels so right.
